Purton and District Age Concern (PADAC): Celebrating 60 Years of Community Support
Purton and District Age Concern (PADAC) is a dedicated organisation serving older residents aged 65 and over in and around Purton village. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for our community’s older members by offering a wide range of services designed to support their independence, wellbeing, and social connections.
We have a team of street wardens who regularly check in on residents, ensuring they are safe and encouraging social interaction. Our minibus service provides transport to local events, the community café, doctor’s appointments, coffee mornings, and more. In addition, we offer Tai Chi classes at heavily subsidised rates and host free coffee and cake mornings to promote socialising and relaxation.
Education is also a key part of our work. We help older people understand who they can trust and raise awareness about potential scams or unsafe situations.
What makes PADAC special is that it is entirely run by volunteers — no one receives payment. Our activities and services are funded solely through fundraising events and donations.
As vice chairman of the committee, I am actively involved in our fundraising efforts. One of our popular events is the “3B’s” — Bangers, Beans and Bingo. For a ticket price of £15, attendees enjoy a two-course meal and six bingo cards. These events are well attended, with around 90 people coming each time. Preparing meals for such numbers is no small task: cooking 100 baked potatoes, 24 tins of beans, 200 sausages, alongside delicious puddings requires a lot of hard work, but it’s incredibly rewarding.
Our biggest annual fundraiser is Burns Night, which attracts around 100 guests for a three-course dinner, whisky, and dancing. The preparation for this event is especially demanding — from peeling 25kg of swede and potatoes to cooking and organising the evening — but the sense of community and enjoyment makes it all worthwhile.
I enjoy the kitchen side of things, but we also have the more creative members setting up the rooms for the events. The Burns Night decorations, always looks amazing.
On average, I dedicate 1 to 2 full days and one evening each month to meetings, planning, and preparation. Beyond the regular committee volunteers, many other friends and helpers contribute by supporting events, serving food, and creating a welcoming atmosphere.
I love volunteering for PADAC because I have made new friends that I wouldn’t normally meet in my everyday life. PADAC is an essential part of my life, and I am proud to be part of a team that makes such a positive difference.
Laura Phillips
Vice Chair